Nicole Hemmer

In this discussion, historians Kellie Carter Jackson and Nicole Hemmer dive into the significance of Evacuation Day in 1783, marking the British departure from New York City. Kellie vividly describes the grim realities of life under British occupation, while Nicole explores the political stakes and the treatment of freed people. They recount the day’s poignant moments, including Washington's symbolic entry and the celebration at Francis Tavern. Ultimately, they reveal how Evacuation Day faded into the background, overshadowed by the rise of Thanksgiving.